Hints That You May Have Hemorrhoids

It can be very embarrassing to consult a doctor about hemorrhoids because of where they are situated. So if you are suspecting that you have hemorrhoids and you have yet to muster a lot of guts, read on. Below are some of the things that may reveal that what you are having down there is a bout of hemorrhoids.

Discomfort in the Anus

Hemorrhoids can be internal or external, depending on where they can be found. External hemorrhoids are the ones that can leave you in a great deal of pain. On the other hand, internally located ones rarely hurt. However, pain may still be encountered if internal hemorrhoids are very large and they are being squashed by the anal muscles.

Presence of a Lump Near the Anus

Is there something near the anus that wasn’t there before? That’s a clear indicator that you have hemorrhoids. The growth you are feeling is actually an inflamed blood vessel (or several different ones). The said growth can also make its presence known when you sit for long periods of time, or during a bowel movement.

Lump After Straining

With internal hemorrhoids, no growths can be noticed near the anus because they are located in the rectum. However, they may be felt after straining, such as when passing stool or coughing, as they may actually slide out into the anus. Such is then referred to as “protruding hemorrhoid” or “prolapsed hemorrhoid”.

Skin Irritation and Itchiness

Feeling itchy down there is one of the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids because the inflamed or swollen blood vessels can become irritated, ending up feeling itchy. Hemorrhoids that are located internally tend to secrete mucus which exits the anus. When it gets dry, it tends to cause severe itchiness.

Urge to Move the Bowels

Do you feel like you have to sit on the toilet again right after a bowel movement? It’s very much possible for you to have hemorrhoids. That’s because the bulge present in the endmost part of your large intestines is mistaken by your body as stool that it needs to be passed. The bigger the hemorrhoids are, the stronger the urge to defecate is.

Painful Defecation

Certainly, bowel movements can be very painful if you have hemorrhoids. It’s for the obvious fact that the passing stool rubs against the growths, and this causes a lot of pain. Because of this, every trip to the toilet can be a daunting experience. Having constipation is definitely a no-no because it can make matters a lot worse!

Blood Streaks Present in the Stool

Health authorities say that it’s good practice to observe your stool before flushing. If you notice a bright-red streak of blood on the surface of your stool and you have some of the signs and symptoms mentioned on this article, chances are you have hemorrhoids. Sometimes you may also notice bright-red blood in the toilet itself.

Small Amount of Blood on a Tissue

Other than your stool, the tissue you use after a bowel movement may also be tinged with bright-red blood. This is caused by it coming into contact with the growth near your anus, which is bleeding due to the friction resulting from the passing of stool. Blood may also come from the rectum if your hemorrhoids are situated internally.

Leakage of Fecal Matter

There is no denying that having hemorrhoids is a really embarrassing matter. However, there is something that can make hemorrhoids even more mortifying, and that’s leakage of fecal matter. Called “bowel incontinence”, it can happen because the presence of hemorrhoids can keep the anal sphincter from working properly.

Because the signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids are similar to a handful of other conditions, many of which can be very serious, it’s very important to seek the help of a doctor no matter how mortifying it may feel.